Gifts made prior to death may permit family members to utilize their inheritance when most needed. Gifts also have some estate planning benefits. They reduce the value of your estate, as well as your tax burden. You are permitted to give away a lot of money tax-free, and that can be a win-win for everyone.

Can you give an inheritance while still alive?

In 2021, you can transfer up to $11.7 million ($23.4 million for married couples) during life as a gift or at death through a will, free from federal gift and estate taxes (the $11.7 million is indexed to inflation, so it will increase until the end of 2025).

Can you receive inheritance before death?

The vast majority of taxpayers will not incur gift or estate tax penalties when they make inheritance distributions before death because of the high IRS tax-free limits, called exclusions. As of 2019, you can give a tax-free gift of $15,000 per person, per year.